The world recently crossed a remarkable threshold; more than 10 million babies have been born through assisted reproductive technology (ART) since the first IVF birth in 1978 through 2018. According to a landmark global study led by David Adamson, MD, founder and CEO, ARC Fertility, the estimated number of ART-conceived infants reached between 9.8 and 13 million by the end of 2018, with that total projected to reach 15 million in 2024.
This milestone affirms what those in the fertility space have long known—ART is no longer an experimental or niche intervention. It is mainstream medicine and a cornerstone of modern family building. Its significance extends far beyond individual parents, it now shapes global population trends, health systems and employer benefit strategies.
A New Era in Reproductive Medicine
Since Louise Brown’s birth in 1978, ART has grown exponentially. IVF programs expanded rapidly in the 1980s and 1990s, driven by innovations like intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), improved embryo culture and blastocyst transfer. By the 2000s, elective single embryo transfer and improved cryopreservation transformed ART safety and effectiveness. In recent decades, ART has evolved to include preimplantation genetic testing, egg and embryo freezing, donor services, surrogacy and care for single individuals and LGBTQ+ families.
Despite this progress, access to ART remains deeply uneven. The International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ICMART) report, the most comprehensive of its kind, highlights that while ART accounts for up to 10% of births in some high-income countries, global access remains limited. Countries across Africa, parts of Asia and the Middle East continue to face substantial gaps in ART access, often due to limited clinic infrastructure, data collection and funding.
The study’s estimates are based on four decades of data from more than 100 countries, using clinical outcomes and extrapolated data from non-reporting clinics. Even with underreporting, the evidence is clear that ART is contributing significantly to birth rates worldwide. One ART-conceived baby is now born approximately every 35 seconds.
Infertility: A Global Health and Economic Issue
The World Health Organization recently reported that infertility affects one in six people globally. The ICMART report underscores that ART is often the only viable treatment for those struggling to conceive. However, affordability and access remain major barriers.
Infertility has both medical and societal consequences. Delayed childbearing, environmental factors and increased reproductive conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS are contributing to rising infertility rates. Meanwhile, declining birth rates and aging populations are straining economies and labor markets.
Employers, governments and health systems are recognizing the need for proactive solutions. Family-building benefits are no longer considered optional or niche, they are essential.
Why Employers Should Pay Attention
The growing reliance on ART to support family formation has significant implications for employers:
- Talent Attraction and Retention: Offering fertility benefits is a powerful way to compete for top talent, especially among millennial and Gen Z employees who are delaying parenthood.
- Inclusive Workplaces: Family-forming support must reflect the diversity of today’s workforce, married, single, LGBTQ+ or heterosexual.
- Workforce Planning: In the face of declining fertility rates, supporting employees’ family-building goals is an investment in workforce sustainability.
Employees increasingly expect family-forming benefits that go beyond basic coverage. They are looking for comprehensive, affordable and inclusive care that addresses their real-life challenges.
ARC Fertility: A Leader in Family-Building Solutions
ARC Fertility stands at the forefront of this transformation. With more than 27 years of experience and a national network of over 450 board-certified specialists, ARC delivers flexible, evidence-based fertility solutions that meet the needs of both employers and employees.
Here’s how ARC supports organizations navigating the new era of reproductive health:
- Inclusive, Customizable Benefits: ARC’s programs are designed for every path to parenthood, including IVF, egg freezing, donor services, surrogacy and cross-border care.
- Cost Transparency and Value: ARC’s bundled packages are priced 15–40% lower than competitors and avoid unnecessary per-employee monthly fees (PEPM), helping employers maximize value while managing budgets.
- High-Quality Care, Nationwide Access: With a vast clinic network and independently validated clinical outcomes, ARC ensures that employees receive top-tier care, no matter where they live.
- Dedicated Support: ARC’s Care Navigators offer personalized guidance throughout the fertility journey, addressing both logistical complexities and emotional needs.
Fertility Care Is Workforce Care
Fertility is no longer a personal issue happening in the background. It is front and center, impacting health outcomes, demographic shifts, economic forecasts and employee expectations. The latest ICMART data confirms that ART is not a fringe technology, it is a core component of global health and population growth.
Employers have a unique opportunity to support the evolving needs of their workforce. Investing in inclusive fertility care is an investment in well-being, equity and organizational resilience.
ARC Fertility is ready to help you lead.
To learn more about how ARC can help your organization offer smarter, more inclusive family-building benefits, contact us today.
